- UTEP (24-7) will make its first appearance in the WNIT when it plays host to Arkansas State (22-11) at 7 p.m. MDT at the Don Haskins Center Friday.

- Tickets are $4 for students, $6 for general admission & $8 for floor seats & may be bought on site or by calling 915-747-5234.

- The victor will advance to play Saint Mary’s California or CSU Bakersfield. The Miners received an at-large bid to the event, joining five other Conference USA squads. C-USA led all leagues with Charlotte, East Carolina, Old Dominion, Southern Miss and Tulane.

- The Miners received an at-large bid to the event.

- It marks the second time in the past three seasons and fourth third occasion overall that the Miners will play postseason basketball.

- Appeared in 2008 & 2012 NCAA Tournaments.

- Earned at-large bid as #7 seed in 2008.

- Beat #10 seed Western Kentucky, 92-60 (3/22/08) in the first round of ‘08 “Big Dance.”

- Bowed out with 88-54 loss at two-seed & #4 nationally Stanford (3/24/08). Stanford ultimately lost in the NCAA title game.

- Awarded a #13 seed at 2012 NCAA Tournament, in spite of 29-3 record & winning both the C-USA regular-season & tournament title.

- Faced #4 seed & #12 in polls Penn State in the 2012 NCAA First Round. Tied at the half (39-39) before eventually falling, 85-77, (3/18/12).

- Fans can stay-up-date by following the Miners on twitter (@UTEPWBB) or listening live on 1150 AM with Mark Brunner and Traci Miller.

- Marks the eighth game in program history that both the Miners & opponent have 20+ wins. UTEP is 4-3 all time in the situation.

THIRD-BEST IN TEXAS SINCE 06-07

- The Miners have the third-most wins among all DI programs in Texas since 2006-07.

- UTEP is 75-21 since the start of the 2011-12 season, including 24-7 this year.

- Have registered 53 double-digit wins in stretch.

- Only five double-digit losses in time frame.

- Aiding record were 10 winning streaks of at least three games. The breakdown is as follows:

15 game (12/31/11 through 2/23/12)

10 game (11/12/11 through 12/17/11)

9 game (12/1/12 through 1/13/13)

9 game (11/8/13 through 12/15/13)

7 game (1/22/14 through 2/15/14)

5 game (11/0/12 through 11/23/12)

4 game (3/1/12 through 3/10/12)

3 game (1/24/13 through 1/27/13)

3 game (3/8/13 through 3/14/13)

3 game (2/22/14 through 3/1/14)

- Contrast that with one three-game losing skid.

INSIDE THE SERIES

- Arkansas State leads, 5-1.

- A-State won the first five meetings.

- Two squads last met in the 2004-05 season, splitting a pair of match-ups.

- UTEP is 1-1 vs. A-State in El Paso.

AWARDS AVENUE

- Senior Kayla Thornton secured First-Team All-Conference USA honors while also earning placement on the five-member All-Defensive squad, the league office revealed on March 9.

- Thornton, a second-team honoree in 2012 and 2013, becomes the second Miner in program history to garner at least three all-conference accolades (Jareica Hughes, four, 2007-10).

- Thornton also joins Hughes as the lone players in school history to be a two-time member of the All-Defensive squad. Thornton was also tabbed to the team last year & Hughes was in ‘07 & ‘08.

- UTEP has now been recognized on an all-conference squad for eight straight years.

- Redshirt-sophomore guard Jenzel Nashwas named the 2014 Conference USA Women’s Basketball Sixth Player of the Year, the league office revealed March 10.

- It marks the third time in the past four years that the Miners have secured the award, with former standout Gloria Brown being so recognized in 2011 and 2012.

- Thornton was also tabbed to the C-USA All Tournament team, marking her second such selection during her four-year career.

GETTING TO KNOW ARKANSAS STATE

(22-11, 14-4 SBC, )

- Arkansas State won the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, the first in school history.

- It advanced to the SBC Tournament finals but fell in heartbreaking fashion, 61-60, to future C-USA member Western Kentucky on March 15. A-State led, 49-31, with 10:18 to play only to be out-scored 30-11 the rest of the way out.

- A-State is making its fifth WNIT appearance under head coach Brian Boyer & ninth all time.

- The Red Wolves are 12-7 all time in the WNIT & won the event in 1993.

- A-State is led by sophomore & Sun Belt Player of the Year, Aundrea Gamble (18.7 ppg) while Jane Morrill (12.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg) was tabbed a second-team honoree.

- Gloria Brown (12.1 ppg, 2011-12) was last reserve to average double figures in scoring.

- 10+ offensive rebounds in all but one game.

- Scored 1090 (35.2) points in the first half.

- Scored 1317 (42.5) points in second half.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

- Ninth in C-USA in scoring defense (67.7).

- Held foes to 56.2 ppg & kept them to shooting 34.4% over first nine games (9-0).

- Gave up 77.7 ppg & foes hit 44.7% from floor in the next nine contests (5-4).

- Capping that tough stretch was back-to-back games with 85+ points allowed (92 vs. Charlotte-1/18/14) & 85 vs. Southern Miss-1/22/14) for the first time under Keitha Adams since her initial season at UTEP (2001-02).

- Back on track by giving up 63.9 points per game & 36.3 percent shooting next 10 games (9-1).

- Has allowed 70+ points in all three contests since (first time since 2001-02 season).

- Foes at 84.7 ppg & made stretch 42.2&% from the field during the three-game (1-2).

- Forced 20+ turnovers in 13 games on the year, including 34 vs. Kansas State (tied sixth at UTEP) and 32 against ECU (t10th at UTEP) on Feb. 22.

- Opponents committed 20 or more turnovers in five straight games during non-league action. (11/16/13 through 12/3/13), for the first time since the 1996-97 season (six).

- Recorded 305 steals to place fifth on single-season list.

- Have blocked 138 shots to place seventh on the UTEP single-season list.

RECORD WATCH

- Records are made to be broken. Bold denotes broken in 2013-14, with the () indicating year of previous mark while other items could fall in the WNIT.

TEAM SINGLE-SEASON

Category 2013-14 Record

Double-Digit Wins 19 20 (2011-12)

Field-Goals 831 861 (2007-08)

Field-Goal Attempts 2,003 1988 (2007-08)

Free Throws 564 468 (2000-01)

Free Throw Attempts 791 712 (1988-89)

Home Wins 16 16 (2006-07)

Rebounds/Game 44.1 44.5 (1996-97)

Scoring Offense 78.1 71.5 (1980-81)

Three-Pointers 191 201 (1988-89)

Three-Point Attempts 593 581 (1988-89)

- Senior Kayla Thorntoncould become the first Miner to average a double-double. Other records in jeopardy are listed below.

INDIVIDUAL SINGLE SEASON

Category 2013-14 Record

Double-Doubles 17 SAME

10+ points streak 27 SAME

Field Goals 179 217 (L. Watson, ‘88-89)

Points 511 600 (H. Russ, ‘90-91)

Rebound Avg 10.6 10.0 (B. Stoney, ‘79-80)

Rebounds 276 294 (C. Parker, ‘12-13)

- Here is the list of individual career standards that have already or could be broken.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER

Category (Player) Number Record

DBL/DBL (Thornton) 37 SAME

Field Goals (Thornton) 553 SAME

Free Throws (Thornton) 344 359 (J. Hughes, ‘06-10)

FT Attempts (Thornton) 474 492 (J. Hughes, ‘06-10)

Games Won (Seniors) 90 SAME

Games Played (Vitola) 126 SAME

Points (Thornton) 1,527 1,555 (J. Hughes, ‘06-10)

Rebounds (Thornton) 964 SAME

3 Pointers (Willingham) 207 208 (A. Billhymer, ‘93-97)

WINNING BIG

- Nineteen of 23 wins by double figures.

- Marks the eighth season under Keitha Adamswith at least 10 double-digit victories.

- Achieved four times in 27 years before Adams.

- Single-season school record is 20 (2011-12).

- This year’s team has a +10.3 scoring margin, which would be the second-best in school history.

- The current school standard is +13.4 (2011-12).

- Set a school record with seven straight wins by double figures (11/8 through 12/3). Prior standard was six (2006-07 & 2011-12).

- Included in stretch were back-to-back wins by 45+ points for first time in school history.

- Aided UTEP to a mark of 75-21, boosted by an unprecedented three straight 20+ win seasons.

- Only player in program history to rank in the top 10 for career assists & rebounds.

- Fifth in rebounds (658) & 10th in average (7.2).

- Also a member of the 600-point club (664).

- Fourth for career field-goal percentage (46.8).

- Tied for sixth in assists (251).

- Logged 2,268 minutes to rate 16th at the school.

CLIFFSNOTES ON 2013-14 SEASON

Southern Miss 84, UTEP 70 (3/14/14)

- Senior Kayla Thornton registered 21 points to become UTEP’s all-time leading scorer but the moment was spoiled in an 84-70 setback to second-seed Southern Miss in the 2014 Conference USA Women’s Basketball semifinals at the Don Haskins Center on March 14.

- UTEP led 57-53 with 8:49 to play in regulation before the momentum started to switch. Consecutive offensive fouls against the Miners gave USM some added possessions, and it took advantage. Jamierra Faulkner, who paced USM with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, was the catalyst.

- Faulkner tallied nine points while dishing out four helpers and grabbing three boards during a game-altering 13-2 run for the Lady Eagles that put UTEP in an eight-point hole (67-59) with 2:49 to play in the contest.

- Thornton brought the sequence to a close with a pair of free throws.

- UTEP, which was still down eight with 2:03 to play in the game (71-63) tried to extend the game by fouling but to its credit Southern Miss nailed 9-of-10 tries down the stretch to hold on for the win.

UTEP 81, Louisiana Tech 72 (3/13/14)

- First-team All-Conference USA honoree Kayla Thornton posted a double-double (25 points, 12 rebounds) while C-USA Sixth Player of the Year Jenzel Nash provided 23 points off the bench, and third-seeded UTEP held off 14th-seed Louisiana Tech, 81-72, in the quarterfinals of the 2014 C-USA Women’s Basketball Championships at Memorial Gym on March 13.

- The Lady Techsters led 48-43 with 11:32 remaining in regulation before UTEP found another level.

- The Miners put together a 17-2 run in a span of less than four minutes, with Nash contributing 11 points during the sequence.

- The margin swelled to as many as 14 (72-58, 3:41 to play) but Louisiana Tech refused to go away quietly. It whittled the deficit all the way down to six (78-72, 00:23) but it was too little too late.

- The Miners’ 81 points are the fifth-highest total for a postseason game in program history.

- Thornton registered 25 points to lift her career total to 1,552. The program standard is 1,555, which is held by former Miner Jareica Hughes (2006-10).

- The 25 points tie as the third most by a UTEP player in a postseason contest.

- Kelli Willingham nailed a three-point shot in the first half to lift her career total to 208, which puts her tied for first all time at UTEP with former Miner Amy Pack (208, 1993-97).

at FAU 98, UTEP 62 (3/5/14)

- Kristine Vitola(11 points), Kelli Willingham(11 points) and Stacie Telles(10 points) turned in double-digit scoring efforts but UTEP couldn’t withstand the barrage of a Conference USA record 20 three-pointers in a 98-62 loss at Florida Atlantic on March 5.

- The two teams traded blows over the first eight minutes of the game, and it was two-point lead (21-19) for the home side with 12:19 to play in the first half.

- Things changed in a hurry, with the Owls hitting four threes to fuel a game-changing 14-2 run over the next three minutes.

UTEP 72, at Rice 57 (3/1/14)

- A united UTEP women’s basketball team pushed its winning streak to three with a 72-57 road conquest of Rice in front of a nationally-televised audience (Fox Sports Networks) at Tudor Fieldhouse on March 1.

- The Miners outscored the Owls, 42-28, over the final 20 minutes, including a 26-4 run spanning eight minutes midway through the second half, to spoil the home side’s “Senior Day.”

- UTEP connected on 54.8 percent from the floor in the stanza while also forcing Rice into making nine of its 15 turnovers.

- UTEP outscored Rice, 38-24, in points in the paint, which helped them finish at 45.5 percent (30-of-66) from the floor in the contest.

- Committed a season-low tying nine turnovers

- Held to 35.4 percent (23-of-65) from the floor, including just 3-of-15 from beyond-the-arc.

- Snapped Jessica Kuster’s 12-game double-double streak.

at UTEP 78, UTSA 65 (Feb. 26)

- Four different Miners reached double figures in scoring to help UTEP race past UTSA, 78-65, on “Senior Night,” at home on Feb. 26.

- UTSA led 17-12 with 9:52 to play in the first half.

- With senior Kayla Thornton on the bench with an injury, her teammates went to work to pick up the slack. The result was a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to swing the pendulum of moment to the Miners. The surge started what was a 21-8 surge to close the half with UTEP leading 33-25.

- UTEP never relinquished the lead.

- Redshirt-sophomore Jenzel Nash came off the bench to pour in a team-high 16 points

- Sparkle Taylor pitched in 11. It marks the fifth double-digit tilt in six contests.

- Chrishauna Parker picked up the slack in the rebounding department with Thornton out by securing 13 boards. She also added seven points and five assists.

- The Miners shot their best field-goal percentage (29-of-59, 49.2 percent) on year in C-USA play.

at UTEP 81, East Carolina 74 (Feb. 22)

- UTEP forced 32 turnovers while a quartet of players hit double figures in scoring in a 81-74 conquest of East Carolina in front of a season-high and the seventh-largest crowd (5,568) at the Don Haskins Center on Feb. 22.

- Willingham’s efforts allowed her to become the 10th member of the 1,000-point club at UTEP.

- It was a physical back-and-forth contest that featured a combined 49 fouls, in addition to 11 ties and seven lead changes.

- The Pirates led 60-55 with 6:17 to play before Willingham and Thornton fueled a 7-0 run.

- ECU pulled even at 62, and once again at 64, but the Orange and Blue would not be denied. Kristine Vitolafinished a lay-up from Chrishauna Parker to spark a 6-0 run, and ECU never got closer than four down the stretch.

- UTEP connected on 40.4 percent from the floor, including 54.5 percent in the second half.

- The Miners drilled 30-of-36 attempts from the free-throw line, with the 30 makes tying as the seventh-highest total in program history.

- Thornton keyed the charge in the area with a 13-of-14 effort while Willingham was 7-of-9 and Taylor was 6-of-6.

at North Texas 73, (2/15/14)

- Senior Kayla Thornton recorded her 16th double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds) of the year but UTEP’s seven-game win streak was snapped in a 73-64 loss at North Texas on Feb. 19.

- The Miners led 22-18 with 9:18 to play in the first half, aided by a 20-6 rebounding edge in stretch.

- The Mean Green closed the period on a 21-6 surge, including a 16-0 run, to put the Miners in a double-digit hole (39-28) heading into the locker room.

- UNT outrebounded UTEP, 9-4, in sequence while also forcing them into making three of their 11 turnovers in the period

- UTEP fought back in the second half but UNT had an answer to every run.

- The Miners got within four (68-64) with 1:35 left but North Texas scored the final five points of the contest.

- The Miners won the boards, 48-41, but the Mean Green held a 35-28 advantage in that area over the final 28 minutes of the contest.

- Kayla Thornton (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Chrishauna Parker (10 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles, and UTEP used smothering defense to down Old Dominion, 65-55, for its seventh straight win in front of a passionate crowd of 3,972 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on Feb. 15

- The Miners held the Lady Monarchs to 28.3 percent from the floor (17-of-60), including just 12.5 percent (3-of-24) in the second stanza, helping make a 33-25 halftime deficit a distant memory by the end of the night.

- The three field goals in a half rank as the fewest by an opponent in a league game and the second-fewest ever in UTEP history.

- Thornton poured in 15 points after the break while Jenzel Nashcame off the bench to add 12 of her eventual 17 points in the contest.

- UTEP out-scored ODU, 40-22, over the final 20 minutes.

- UTEP won the battle of the boards (45-43) while also enjoying a 28-16 advantage in points in the paint. The Miners recorded 17 assists on 22 field goals and only committed 13 turnovers.

- ODU only had 12 giveaways but it was done in by the porous second-half shooting.

at UTEP 83, FIU 62 (2/8/14)

- UTEP pushed its winning streak to six after an impressive 83-62 victory against FIU in front of a season-high and the eighth-largest crowd (5,102) in program history on Feb. 13.

- The Miners swarmed to the ball defensively, making FIU, and in particular two-time All-American and the nation’s second-leading scorer Jerica Coley (29.8 points per game), work for everything it got. Coley managed just 10 points on 4-of-18 shooting from the floor, and it had a trickle-down effect on the rest of the squad. FIU finished at just 34.4 percent (22-of-64) from the floor while also being harassed into 16 turnovers.

- Trailing 70-69 with 3:29 to play, the Miners turned to their seniors. Vitola and Thornton were ready to carry the load, scoring a combined 11 points during a game-closing 16-5 surge to extend UTEP’s win streak to five.

- Freshman Sparkle Taylor(career-high 15 points) and junior Stacie Telles (10 points) also reached double figures in scoring, as the Orange and Blue improved to 13-1 on the year at home.

- 30 3PT attempts (tied fourth all time at UTEP).

UTEP 86, at Tulane 72 (2/1/14)

- Kayla Thornton put up big numbers for her 12th double-double (29 points, 18 rebounds) on the year, and UTEP played a great second half to post a convincing 86-72 win at Tulane on Feb. 1.

- The Miners outscored the Green Wave ,58-37, over the final 20 minutes on the way to extending their win streak to four.

- UTEP nailed 58.8 percent (20-of-34) from the floor in the second half to finish with a solid 44.6 percent (29-of-65) overall for the game.

- It had success both inside and out, with seven of its 11 three pointers (tied eighth most in school history) coming in the second stanza

- Kayla Thorntontallied 23 points while grabbing seven board to become the school’s all-time leading rebounder and Kelli Willingham added 18 points (on six threes) to propel UTEP to an 85-76 road conquest of UAB at Bartow Arena in the Conference USA opener for both squads on Jan. 8.

- UTEP drilled 41.3% from the floor (26-of-63) from the floor, including 9-of-18 (50.0%)

- Making free throws (24-of-27) and winning the rebounding battle (43-31) were also big factors.

- Thornton’s seven rebounds gave her 815 for her career to surpass former Miner great Kim Watts’ prior standard (810, 1978-81)

- 12-21 in conference openers, with the 4-16 record in such games being a big factor.

at Texas A&M 74, UTEP 58 (1/2/14)

- Jenzel Nashscored a season-high 20 points and UTEP forced 25 turnovers but it wasn’t enough to offset a challenging shooting night in a 74-58 loss at SEC power Texas A&M on Jan. 2.

- UTEP trailed by 25 with 8:23 to play before a 16-4 run in four minutes cut the deficit to 13.

- Texas A&M had only four free throws & six points total in the final 6:24 but held on due to its defense.

- UTEP was held to a season-low 32.8 percent (21-of-64) & was 0-of-12 on three pointers.

- It marked the first time since 2005-06 that the Miners didn’t connect from distance in a game.

- Another factor was rebounding, which was in favor of Texas A&M (45-32). UTEP had more offensive rebounds (12) than the Aggies (11), with the margin being more of an indication of the shooting percentage than anything else.

at UTEP 87, Texas Southern 61 (12/29/13)

- Kayla Thorntonpoured in 23 points and UTEP used a huge second half to topple upset-minded Texas Southern, 87-61, at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 29.

- The Miners led by five (34-29) at the break before unleashing a lethal full-court press that befuddled the Lady Tigers. The visitors committed 18 of their 26 turnovers in the second half, which led to 26 of UTEP’s 53 points in the stanza.

- Kayla Thornton turned in a virtuoso performance by setting career highs in points (36), rebounds (16) and blocked shots (four) to guide UTEP past Belmont, 88-74, inside Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in its final game of the Puerto Rico Classic on Dec. 21.

- Thornton’s 36 points are the most by a Miner since 1991 and the third-highest total in school history. Holly Russ (40 vs. UTSA, 2/19/91 and 37 vs. Baylor, 12/17/91) holds the top-two slots

- She had 23 pts & nine rbs at the break, to help UTEP lead 49-26 heading into halftime.

- Belmont made things interesting by cutting that margin down to seven (74-67) with 2:50 to play but the Orange and Blue kept their composure.

- The Miners went 9-of-10 at the free-throw line in the final 1:22 to seal the win.

Georgia Tech 102, UTEP 77 (12/20/13)

- UTEP put up a good fight but ACC power Georgia Tech had simply too much firepower, as the Miners sustained their first loss of the year, 102-77, inside Guillermo Angulo Coliseum at the Puerto Rico Classic Dec. 20.

- The duo teamed up for 33 in the first half, which helped Tech stake a 54-38 lead at the break.

- UTEP regrouped and played even (33-33) with Tech over the first 16 minutes of the second stanza. The Jackets, who used a full-court press the entire game, used a 15-6 push to account for the 25-point margin.

- Kayla Thorntonposted her fifth double-double this season (16 points, 10 rebounds) to lead a quartet of players in double figures, and UTEP remained undefeated with a 87-65 conquest of Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 15.

- Led by two (14-12) six minutes in before kicking it into high gear with a 24-3 run to blow the game wide open.

- Connected on 48.7 (37-of-76) shots from the floor, and shared the ball well with 19 assists.

- 32-7 cushion in points from the bench.

- Also enjoyed advantages in points in the paint (56-32), points off turnovers (30-21), fast-break points (19-4) and points off turnovers (30-21).

at UTEP 76, SMU 71 (12/7/13)

- Kayla Thornton (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Chrishauna Parker (12 points, 15 rebounds) recorded double-doubles while Jenzel Nashprovided a spark off the bench with 19 points to help lead UTEP past long-time rival SMU, 76-71, at home on Dec. 7.

- The Mustangs, who were 8-1 entering the game, jumped out to a double-digit lead (14-4) six minutes into the contest.

- UTEP used a 31-14 run to carry a 35-28 cushion into halftime & extended it out to 47-2 with 15:29 to play.

- SMU wasn’t done, though, especially not with Keena Mays at its disposal. Mays, who finished with a game-high 34 points, refused to let her squad go down without a fight. It whittled the deficit down to two (56-54) with 7:28 to play, but UTEP would not relinquish the advantage.

- Free throws (25-of-37) and winning the rebounding battle (47-45) proved vital, as did committing only 15 turnovers against a well-executed press by the visitors.

- UTEP out-scored UNC in points in the paint (42-16) & on fast-break tries (15-2) to more than compensate for losing the rebounding battle 46-31.

at UTEP 92, Northern Arizona 43 (11/22/13)

- UTEP jumped out to a 25-point (45-20) halftime lead and didn’t let up on the way to recording its largest margin of victory (49) ever against a Division 1 team in a 92-43 thrashing of Northern Arizona at home on Nov. 26.

- UTEP harassed the Lumberjacks into making 29 turnovers while also holding them to 32.0 percent shooting from the floor.

- The 29 giveaways led to 31 points for the Orange and Blue.

- UTEP registered 20 assists & hit 50% from field.

- Transfer Anete Kirsteine came off the bench to tally a career high 15 points- all on triples- to lead a quartet of Miners in double figures for scoring.

- Overall 11 different players scored in the game, showing off the Orange and Blue’s depth in the process.

- UTEP drained the seventh-most three pointers (11) in a contest in program annals.

at UTEP 84, Kansas State 39 (11/16/13)

- UTEP forced 34 turnovers and held Big 12 member Kansas State to 26.3 percent shooting from the floor in a 84-39 shellacking at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 16.

- The 45-point differential is the third-biggest (second at the time) margin of victory against a Division 1 opponent in school history, which was aided by the program’s biggest halftime lead (46-13) vs. a DI foe.

- Five different Miners reached double figures in scoring, with senior Kayla Thorntonleading the way with her school-record 23rd career double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds).

- The Miners led the Falcons picked second in the Heartland Conference, 43-23, at the half.

- Eleven different Miners scored in the game. Senior Kayla Thornton had nine points & nine rebounds & freshman Sparkle Taylor pitched in eight off the bench, aided by six makes on 12 tries at the charity stripe.

- Senior Kristine Vitola chipped in six points and grabbed seven boards in an efficient 18 minutes of action in her return to the court after missing most of last year with a torn ACL. Sophomore Jenzel Nash, who redshirted last year as well due to a torn ACL, pitched in four points and four boards while battling foul trouble.